Style Points, Flashback Edition: The most memorable looks to hit Melbourne Park

THE BREAK: Ashleigh Barty and Danielle Collins will meet in the Australian Open final; Angella Okutoyi makes history.

Who wore what? Style Points breaks down the latest collabs, kits and fashion statements from around the tennis world.

As championship weekend kicks off Down Under, players are outfitted from head to toe in the latest in sports technology and fashion. We’ve already seen what everyone’s wearing at this year’s Australian Open—but now we’re turning back the clock for a look at what the champions were wearing in years gone by.

From a colorful tribute to an icon to unusual headgear, here are five of the most memorable looks that have graced the court over the years at Melbourne Park.

Serena Williams, 2021

It may be a bit of recency bias, but this one-legged catsuit from Serena Williams has got to be among the best outfits she’s rocked on court—and there have been many great looks over the years. But the neon color swirl, the long sleeves and asymmetrical leg from 2021 completely stole the show, especially because the look is a tribute to another iconic American athlete: Florence Griffith Joyner, a.k.a. Flo-Jo.

"I was inspired by Flo-Jo, who was a wonderful track athlete, an amazing athlete when I was growing up," Serena told reporters in Melbourne. "Watching her fashion just always changing, her outfits were always amazing.”

Honorable mention: Serena’s daughter Olympia also rocked a miniature version of her mom’s iconic on-court outfit.

Tomas Berdych, 2014

Remember H&M’s brief foray into tennis sponsorship? The Tomas Berdych-H&M partnership produced many memorable outfits during its three-year run—but while the looks themselves could be hit or miss, the Swedish fashion giants were always determined to push the envelope. In 2014, Berdych arrived in Australia looking less like a Czech tennis player and more like an Argentine footballer in his blue and white striped shirt, which was inexplicably paired with dark red shorts.

“I think the main idea is because H&M is the fashion brand, and they really want to go a bit their way of what they think is going to be fashion,” Berdych said. “I think it's very nice, very interesting, very different to see it than all the others looks quite all same. This is something new.”

Martina Hingis, 1996

Swiss great Martina Hingis has had at least three separate and variously successful tennis careers in her storied career—and some great outfits to match. In 1996 she was embarking on the start of her first career, her teenage prodigy era.

Hingis made her Australian Open debut at 15 years old, and in 1996 she stunned crowds by reaching the quarterfinals. The Sergio Tacchini separates she wore during that run were also an instant hit, with the small prints and subtle details coming together for a sweet look.

Jim Courier, 1993

Is there an outfit that more perfectly encapsulates an era than this 1993 Nike look worn by Jim Courier on his way to his second Australian Open title? It’s hard to pick a favorite element here: is it the all-American “baseball style” shirt’s stripes and contrasting sleeves, or is it the shorts that it's tucked into?

Ivan Lendl, 1990

Played at the height of Australia’s summer, the year’s first Grand Slam is known for its soaring temperatures and brutal on-court conditions. When asked to choose between style and function in 1990, Ivan Lendl said “yes”.

According to the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Courting Fashion collection, the famous Legionnaire’s hat — the cap with neck protection — was a part of Lendl’s on-court ensemble since joining Mizuno in 1989. Critics may have chuckled at first, but they weren’t laughing by the time the Czech legend clinched his eighth Grand Slam title. Now, both the hat and the Mizuno “eagle” shirt are enshrined at the ITHOF in Newport.